
Posts for May 12th 2009
Reader Recipe: Fried Chicken
Call me crazy — or attribute it to some bizarre form of reverse psychology — but all that hoopla over KFC's grilled chicken left me craving crispy, spicy, hot-out-of-the-oil fried chicken. TeamSugar member GinaGaladriel must have read my mind: using Cajun spices and Goya seasoning, she modified a fried chicken recipe she saw on YouTube to her family's liking. Now that I've witnessed the power of Gina's fried chicken, it may be time to put aside childish thoughts of grilled chicken and whip up a batch of my own chicken-fried goodness. Check out step-by-step photos when you read more
Noteworthy Nibbles — May 12-19, 2009
How do you know that Summer's just a few weeks away? When there's a seemingly endless list of epicurean events and food festivals. We can hardly straddle them all, but have plans to hit up San Francisco Cocktail Week, shake hands with sake brewers at the Joto Sake Tasting, slurp a few slippery ones at Oysterfest, and swirl Sauvignon Blanc at the Uncorked! Wine Festival. What events are you penciling in? Tell us what you're tasting below!
- Buckhannon, WV: West Virginia Strawberry Festival — May 13-17
- San Francisco, CA: Joto Sake Tasting — May 14
- Memphis, TN: World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest — May 14-16
- San Francisco, CA: San Francisco Strawberry Week — May 14-24
- St. Pete Beach, FL: Tampa Bay Wine & Food Festival — May 15-16
- Monterey, CA: Monterey Bay Aquarium's Cooking for Solutions — May 15-16
- Dermott, AR: Dermott Crawfish Festival — May 15-16
- Magnolia, AR: Magnolia Blossom Festival & Steak Cook-Off — May 15-16
- Pasadena, TX: Pasadena Strawberry Festival — May 15-17
- Little Rock, AR: Greek Food Fest — May 15-17
- Paso Robles, CA: Paso Robles Wine Festival — May 15-17
- Lodi, CA: Lodi ZinFest — May 15-17
- San Francisco, CA: San Francisco OysterFest — May 16
- San Francisco, CA: Uncorked! Wine Festival — May 16
To see the rest, read more
Would You Eat at a Restaurant With No Menus?
Recently Mouthing Off, Food & Wine's blog, chatted about the menu, or lack thereof, at Blue Hill at Stone Barns. The restaurant of James Beard Award winning chef Dan Barber stopped using menus a year ago. Instead, diners are presented with a list of in-season ingredients. They select either five or eight courses and let the waitstaff know of any off-limits foods. The kitchen has total control over a patron's meal. Considering I'm an adventurous and sometimes indecisive (I want to try everything!) eater, I would love to eat at a menu-free restaurant — especially if the chef is as acclaimed as Barber. How about you?
The Hills Food Quiz: Episode 7, "Keep Your Enemies Closer"
On this week's episode of The Hills, Heidi puts an end to the drama with bartender Stacie, while Audrina tries to do the same with Justin. Meanwhile, Stephanie commits a major faux pas while on the job at People's Revolution. Did you keep tabs on all the savory situations? Find out when you take our quiz!
To get all the fashion from last night's episode, check out CelebStyle!
Photo Courtesy of MTV
Take the QuizIn Season: Rhubarb
Asparagus isn't the only stalk in season: rhubarb is also having a moment. Rhubarb resembles celery but has a vibrant pink color. Although many people mistake it for being a fruit, rhubarb is actually a vegetable. It's a member of the buckwheat family, can grow to be two feet long, and is at its peak from April to June. While rhubarb's leaves are poisonous, the stalks are highly edible. To learn more about rhubarb and check out some serving suggestions, read more
Come Party With Me: Bachelorette — Menu
While the bridal shower was sunny and sophisticated, my friend Ronda's bachelorette will be fantastical and fabulous. Since she's a huge fan of belly dancing, the maid of honor has chosen this sensual dance to serve as the party's theme. Ronda's girlfriends are invited to a belly dancing class complete with Mediterranean nibbles. After the class, everyone will head to a local hookah bar to practice their newfound talent. I'm planning the menu; it will be a spread of delicious appetizers. In between songs, the girls can snack on mini Mediterranean pitas topped with hummus, tapenade, or pesto.
Crisp Turkish cigars are filled with tangy feta cheese. Flatbread squares with mint and ground lamb are hearty and scrumptious. When skewered on rosemary springs and served with a garlicky mint sauce, shrimp is irresistible. To check out these recipes that are perfect for any backyard bash, read more
Yummy Links: From Sandra Lee to TV Dinners
- Semi homemade be gone: Sandra Lee gets a seasonal fresh-ingredient makeover.

- Semi homemade be gone: Sandra Lee gets a seasonal fresh-ingredient makeover. — Eat Me Daily
- Mustard manufacturer Grey Poupon wants Obama to pardon Dijon lovers. — Grubstreet
- Ten food moments from The Office. — Chow
- Be inspired: An adorable owl is a fun theme for a baby shower. — Hostess With the Mostess
- Thomas Keller's casual Napa Valley eatery, Ad Hoc, is now serving breakfast. — Eater SF
- Lemon and basil make a healthy and delicious pasta salad. — Serious Eats
- Menus and party plans inspired by your favorite television shows. — The Epi-Log
Fast & Easy Dinner: Quinoa Salad With Scallops & Snow Peas
If you're looking for an innovative recipe to liven up your weeknight repertoire, consider this healthy salad. Don't be intimidated by the ingredients: quinoa is cooked by a technique that's similar to making rice, and the scallops are quick-seared on the stovetop. Asian condiments — soy sauce, sesame oil, and rice vinegar — provide depth of flavor, while snow peas and red peppers give the salad a snappy crunch. To look at the recipe, read more
